A baby's gross motor skills develop rapidly during her first year of life---usually in a fairly predictable sequence of developing head control, sitting, crawling and eventually walking, according to Medline Plus. By spending plenty of time playing with your infant on the floor, you can help her build the strength and coordination she needs to master these gross motor skills.
Tummy Time
Make tummy time---the time your baby spends lying on his stomach---more fun for your baby by turning it into an interactive experience. Pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene recommends that babies spend at least 30 minutes a day on their bellies to help strengthen their backs and necks and decrease the risk of a flat skull. Get down on your baby's level and sing or talk to him. Encourage your 2- to 3-month-old to roll over by placing some colorful toys beside him. When he reaches 4 to 6 months of age, try putting some of his favorite toys directly in front of him to see if you can motivate him to "tummy crawl" forward.
Obstacle Course
Strengthen your baby's trunk and arms by creating an obstacle course for her to maneuver. Newly mobile babies need to build their upper body strength and endurance to help them master crawling and move on to other developmental skills. Place pillows and blankets on the floor and let your baby try to maneuver over and around them. Pediatrician and child development expert Dr. William Sears also suggests playing "treasure hunt" with your baby by hiding her favorite toys and blocks throughout the room and encouraging her to find them.
Bubbles
While your infant might not yet blow bubbles independently, babies of all stages of development can gain upper arm strength and coordination by trying to "catch" the bubbles you blow. Nonmobile babies can swat at the bubbles while lying on their bellies or sitting independently. Show your baby how to move his arms to pop the bubbles. An older infant can crawl or toddle after the bubbles as they drift through the room.
Bounce Along to Music
Combine two of many babies' favorite activities---music and bouncing---into an interactive activity that builds leg and trunk strength. Turn on some music---any lively tunes work well; you don't need songs written especially for infants. You could also recite one of the rhythmic nursery rhymes such as "Ride a Cock Horse to Banbury Cross" or "This Is the Way the Gentleman Rides." Sit in front of your baby and gently grab his hands to pull him into a standing position. Let him stand on your lap, the floor or a couch and bounce along to the song or nursery rhyme.
References
- Medline Plus: Infant and Newborn Development
- Mayo Clinic: Infant Development: What Happens From 4 to 6 Months?
- Ask Dr. Sears: Promoting Your Baby's Development From 6 to 12 Months Through Interactive Play
- Dr. Greene: Tummy Time
- Ask Dr. Sears: Promoting Your Baby's Development From 4 to 6 Months Through Interactive Play
